Costs $16,000 more than a standard Passat; W8 feels less gutsy than expected and doesn’t have the low-end torque of other V8s; nose-heavy weight distribution takes some of the handling prowess away; blue-lit gauges and red-lit controls are distracting at night.

Verdict

Eight cylinders and all-wheel drive on a relatively small sedan: It should be a dream come true, though in reality it’s just not worth the extra $16k over the base 180-hp turbo four, which is a balanced, fun-to-drive combination. The W8 simply doesn’t deliver on the performance end. Its torque curve and the five-speed automatic’s tall ratios seem ideally suited for autobahn duty, not for North American driving conditions. And luxury buyers expect special treatment. How are volume-oriented VW dealerships going to cater to $40,000 W8 customers, let alone the $75,000 Phaeton prospects?

Get the SCM Newsletter

Sign up for a free weekly insider's report on the collector car market — and get a free gift.

Almost done! Confirm your subscription with the email in your inbox.

We use MailChimp as our marketing automation platform. By clicking below to submit this form, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to MailChimp for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms.